Happy Mother's Day to My "Teenage" Mom

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Happy Mother's Day to My "Teenage" Mom

Written by Kate Barker

Friday, 08 May 2009 14:25

I love being my mother's daughter ! I was the only daughter for quite awhile, until both my brothers married. Now there are 3 daughters in our family. However, I am the daughter who had a "teenage" mom !

My mother is an incredible woman. She was born in rural Missouri, in the Ozarks. Her mother died when she was eight and her sister was six. She was raised on a farm by a single father, with a little help from the grandparents. She was poor, but never had a "poverty" or victim mentality. After graduating from high school early, she attended a teachers college. She was teaching school when she met my Dad. They married when she was eighteen and came to California. My father and grandparents decided to go into business in Washington and I was born a year later.

When my youngest brother started Kindergarten, my mother went back to college to earn her teaching credential. She taught school for over 28 years. After we all left home, she obtained an administrative credential and a Masters Degree. One of her most endearing qualities is her patient steadfastness, she always accomplishes what she sets out to do !

We were required to finish our Saturday chores before we could go anywhere. If you were really sick, she was a sympathetic nurse. If you were trying to pull one over on her, you were banished to your room, with no T.V. and you had to stay in bed until you were feeling better, which of course, was the entire school day! She was famous for saying, "This too shall pass", "Life's not a bed of roses", "You made your bed, now you'll have to sleep in it", and the really gross question, " If everyone stuck their head in a toilet, would you ?" ( That was used if you tried the old, "But everyone else is doing it" routine.)

Now in her eighties, she is still positive and active. She sees, speaks and believes the best about people, especially her family ! She is sensitive, insightful, full of grace and love ! Her cards and notes are always encouraging. She attends the graduations, plays, sports events and birthday parties of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She has many friends at church, and keeps in touch with family members across the U.S. She enjoys traveling. We are leaving for Humansville, Missouri after Mother's Day. She still has hopes and dreams and persistently pursues her projects, and she is still married to my Dad ! (Sixty-three years in November) Not bad for a "teenage" Mom !!

Happy Mother's Day !

May every day be your cup of tea,

Kathryn
http://www.oregonstreetteacompany.com

www.oregonstreetteacompany.com

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